Government Agencies Warned of BlueLocker Ransomware Threat

National CERT Alerts 39 Ministries to Potentially Devastating Cyberattack

A critical alert has been issued across Pakistan’s federal landscape, with 39 key ministries and government departments facing imminent danger from the BlueLocker ransomware. The National Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) has dispatched formal warnings detailing the severe risk of permanent data destruction and operational paralysis.

BlueLocker: A Direct Threat to State Data

The sophisticated BlueLocker ransomware poses a significant cybersecurity challenge, capable of encrypting files across Windows-based systems, servers, networks, and cloud storage. The malware operates by locking user data and demanding a ransom for its recovery. Success for attackers could lead to catastrophic data loss and leakage of highly sensitive government information.

The advisory was specifically directed at high-ranking officials, including secretaries from the Cabinet, Interior, and Foreign Affairs divisions. Other targeted institutions include the DG NACTA, DG FIA, the National Security Division, Establishment Division, Election Commission, National Assembly, and PEMRA, alongside vital ministries like Finance and regulatory bodies such as OGRA and FBR.

In 2023, ransomware attacks globally caused an estimated $30 billion in damages, highlighting the pervasive and costly nature of these cyber threats (Statista).

CERT Issues Urgent Protective Measures

The National CERT emphasized the urgent need for all affected departments to disseminate the warning internally. Immediate actions recommended include isolating any suspected infected systems from the network to prevent further propagation and ensuring prompt reporting of any incidents to the appropriate authorities.

Further preventative guidance from the CERT advises staff to exercise extreme caution regarding downloads from unverified sources and to avoid clicking on suspicious links or email attachments. The team also stressed the importance of ongoing cybersecurity training to equip personnel with the skills to identify and mitigate phishing attempts.

To combat the dynamic nature of these digital threats, departments are strongly urged to enhance their cyber readiness and refine their response protocols to safeguard national data and maintain essential government functions.